Indexing shell reloader

ABSTRACT

A shell reloading tool is provided with a current sensor designed to automatically detect conditions indicative of a crushed shell and reverse and stop the motor to allow the hull to be removed and fixed prior to any additional damage being caused to the hull or reloader. A circuit board is provided to override the current sensor at the initial startup of the motor and at the highest pressure point of the reloading process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shell reloaders and, more specifically,to automatically indexing shell reloaders.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is known in the art to provide reloaders for shot shells andcenterfire cartridges. Many reloaders are provided for home use to allowfor low cost, customized reloading of cartridges, according to precisespecifications. Such home use reloaders are typically provided with ahandle, at least one reloading tool and a shell plate. A shell, such asa hull or cartridge case, is typically placed on the shell plate. Thehandle is then pivoted downward and then upward to move the shell intoand out of engagement with the reloading tool. It is known in the art toprovide a shell plate with multiple seats, positioned in alignment witha plurality of reloading tools. The shell is advanced or “indexed” tothe next operation after each full cycle of the handle. These “indexing”reloaders sequentially perform a plurality of operations on a pluralityof shells provided on the shell plate. With each indexing, one cartridgeis typically completed and a new empty shell is positioned on the shellplate.

It is known in the art to provide hydraulic actuation in lieu of thehandle. Typically, the handle is replaced with a hydraulic linearactuator. The hydraulic linear actuator is coupled to a foot pedal orthe like, for actuating the reloader to move the shell into and out ofengagement with the tool head.

One drawback associated with the prior art hydraulic actuators is theinability to control actuation of the system in the event a shell is outof specification or moves out of alignment. In the event a shell is outof specification or moves out of alignment, contact with the tool headwill often buckle or crush the shell, which may, in turn, cause thecasing to be stuck on the tool head and/or scratch tools associated withthe tool head. Once a shell becomes stuck on a tool, removal may take asubstantial amount of time and may, in and of itself, cause damage tothe tool. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide automaticactuation of the reloader in a manner that allows for stopping orreversal of the motion of the hull or case into engagement with the toolhead before the shell becomes stuck, or the tool head damaged.

Another drawback associated with the prior art is the large amount ofnoise generated by prior art hydraulic actuators. Not only is this noisea potential harm to a user's ears, but the noise also drowns out thesound of the reloader. Abnormal sounds associated with the reloaderoften alert the user to investigate the cause of the sound. It would,therefore, be desirable to decrease the noise level associated with theautomatic reloader to allow a user to troubleshoot and remedy apotential problem, based on an abhorrent noise prior to any malfunctioncausing significant damage. The difficulties in the prior art notedhereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved system for loading shells.The system includes a shell and a shell-loading tool, along with meansfor moving the shell and shell-loading tool into and out of contact withone another. Means are also provided for detecting a predeterminedoverload condition as the shell and shell-loading tool are moved intoand out of contact with one another. Means are also provided forattenuating the moving means in response to the detecting meansdetecting the predetermined overload condition.

In the preferred embodiment, an electric motor is used to motivate theshell-loading tool and shell into and out of contact with one another.An overload sensor is preferably coupled to the electric motor to stopthe electric motor in response to detection of a predetermined overloadsituation, indicated by an increase in amperage of the electric motor inresponse to a shell casing being crushed by the tool head, or similardetrimental condition.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automaticallyindexing reloader which is of a low cost manufacture. It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide an automatic reloader withquiet operation.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anautomatic reloader, which automatically stops the reloading process inresponse to a predetermined overload condition.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anautomatic reloader which is lightweight and portable.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anautomatic actuator for a reloader, which is attachable to and detachablefrom a plurality of reloaders.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automaticreloader with improved safety features.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automaticreloader with improved maintenance characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an automatic reloader ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a reloader prior toconversion to automation according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top perspective view of the actuation arm assemblyof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B illustrates an exploded view of the actuation arm assembly ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a top perspective view of the link strap assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4B illustrates an exploded view of the link strap assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the motor subassembly ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the pull rod connected tothe actuation wheel;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the motor and actuationwheel;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of the pull rod connected tothe actuation arms; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention showing the rotational motor flexibly coupled to thereloader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The automatic indexing reloader of the present invention is showngenerally as (10) in FIG. 1. Although the reloader (10) may beconstructed as a dedicated, automatic indexing unit, in the preferredembodiment, the present invention is used to convert a standard reloader(12) into an automatically indexing reloader (10). FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reloader (12) includes a base (14), preferablyconstructed of sheet steel and coupled to a column (16). Provided aroundthe column (16) is a shell carrier (18). Also provided around the column(16) for movement in relationship to thereto is a turret assembly (20).Coupled to the top of the column (16) is a shot container (22) which, inturn, is coupled to a drop tube (24), such as those known in the art.Similarly, a powder container (26) is coupled to a drop tube (28). Alsosecured to the column (16) is a primer tray (30).

A handle (32) is coupled to the turret assembly (20) by a plurality oflinkages (34), in a manner such as that known in the art, to linearlyactuate the turret assembly (20) downward toward the shell carrier (18),and to linearly actuate the turret assembly (20) upward away from theshell carrier (18). Although the foregoing elements may be combined inany manner, size, configuration or orientation known in the art, in thepreferred embodiment, the reloader (12) is an MEC Reloader Model 9000manufactured by Mayville Engineering Company of Mayville, Wisconsin.

When it is desired to convert the reloader (12) to the automaticallyindexing reloader (10) of the present invention, the handle (32) isremoved, along with its associated linkages. The handle (32) is replacedby a pair of actuation arms (36) and (38) which, as shown in FIG. 3, arepreferably generally L-shaped steel arms provided with three sets ofholes (40), (42), (44), (46), (48) and (50). The actuation arms (36) and(38) are secured to the column (16) by a linkage bolt (52). The linkagebolt (52) is provided through a first washer (54), one side (56) of thecolumn (16), a spacing washer (58), the second side (60) of the column(16), and through a second washer (62). A nut (63) is then secured tothe end of the linkage bolt (52). It is important not to over tightenthe linkage bolt (52), as the actuation arms (36) and (38) should movefreely relative to the column (16).

Once the actuation arms (36) and (38) have been installed, link straps(64) and (66), and the cam plate (68) are installed. As shown in FIG. 4,the link straps are provided with two sets of holes (70), (72), (74) and(76), and are each provided with a threaded hole (78) and (80). The camplate (68) is provided with a hole (82) and a slot (84). The link straps(64) and (66) are coupled to the turret assembly (20) by a linkage bolt(86) provided through the hole (74) in the first link strap (64), awasher (88), the turret assembly (20), a second washer (90), the hole(76) in the second link strap (66), a hole (92) in the original camplate (94) and a nut (96). The nut is not overly tightened so as toallow the link straps (64) and (66) to rotate relative to the turretassembly (20). The original link bolt (98) is provided through hole (70)in the first link strap (64), through a washer (100), through the hole(44) in the first actuation arm (36), through the hole (46) in thesecond actuation arm (38), through a washer (102), through a hole (104)in the original indexing actuation bracket (106), through a hole (108)in the original cam plate (94), and through the slot (84) in the camplate (68). The cam plate (68) is provided with a slot (84), rather thana hole, to allow for adjustment of the cam plate (68) relative to thecam plate (94). The link bolt (98) is secured by a nut (109) which,again, is not overly tightened so as to allow the linkages to rotaterelative to one another. Thereafter, a steel bar called a reloadersupport bracket (110) is secured to the existing bar actuation mountingbracket (1 12)on one end and to the existing side plate indexer (115) onthe other end, using bolts (114) and nuts (116) to reduce frame flex andaid in adjusting the system. The remainder of the reloader (12) is thenreassembled.

Once the reloader (12) has been reassembled, it is thereafter secured toa motor housing assembly (118). FIG. 5. The motor housing assembly (118)is preferably constructed of a housing (120) fabricated from 3/16 inchcarbon steel cut and formed using any desired means known in the art. Asshown in FIG. 6, a rectangular motor bracket face (122) with triangulargussets and constructed of 3/16 inch carbon steel is welded or otherwisesecured to the underside of the housing (120). Secured to one side ofthe motor bracket face (122) and to the housing (120) is a motor (124)which, preferably, is a one-twelfth horsepower motor, such as those wellknown in the art. While the motor may be of any desired configuration orconstruction, in the preferred embodiment the motor (124) is a 120-volt,60 cycle electric motor with a one hundred twenty to one drive ratiodesigned to generate rotational motion utilizing a stainless steel shaft(126) passing through the motor bracket face (122). Secured to the endof the shaft (126) is a stainless steel shaft hub (128) which, in turn,is secured to an actuation wheel (130). As shown in FIG. 6, theactuation wheel (130) is fabricated from 3/16 inch carbon steel and issix inches in diameter. Preferably, the perimeter of the actuation wheel(130) is provided with a plurality of holes (132), each positioned 1/8inch closer to the center of the actuation wheel (130). Also providedaround the perimeter of the actuation wheel (130) is a second set ofholes (134), all equidistant from the center of the actuation wheel(130), and each sized to accommodate a 1/4 inch by 1/2 inch carriagebolt (136) secured through one of the holes (134) by a nut (138).

As shown in FIG. 6, a limit switch (140) is secured to the motor bracketface (122) and electrically coupled to the motor (124) so as todeactuate the motor (124) upon contact of the carriage bolt (136) withthe limit switch (140). The carriage bolt (136) may be adjusted todifferent holes (134) around the perimeter of the actuation wheel (130)to vary the point at which the carriage bolt (136) triggers the limitswitch (140). A pull rod (142) is secured through one of the hole (132)in the actuation wheel (130) by a bolt (144) and nut (146). The otherend of the pull rod (142) is secured between the actuation arms (36) and(38) by a pin (148) passing through the holes (40) and (42) of theactuation arms (36) and (38). The pin is secured into place with a metalclip (150) passing through a hole (152) in the pin (148). As shown inFIG. 6, the motor (124) is preferably coupled to a current sensor (154),such as a TCS series alternating current sensor with programmable logiccontroller interface, sold by SSAC, Inc. of Baldwinsville, N.Y. Thecurrent sensor (154) is preferably coupled to a circuit board (156)which, in turn, is coupled to the limit switch (140). The circuit board(156) is preferably programmed to override the current sensor (154)during the first second of start-up of the motor (124), in which theamperage may spike three times the normal operating amperage. Thecircuit board (156) is also preferably constructed to coordinate withthe limit switch (140) to override the current sensor (154), preferablyduring the last fifteen percent, and more preferably, during the lastten percent, of the loading stroke, where the majority of the loadingpressure is required.

The circuit board (156) is also programmed to detect an overage currentin excess of 1.0 amps during the remainder of the loading procedure. Theamount of current required to trigger the circuit board (156) to reversethe motor (124) may, of course, be adjusted as desired, but ispreferably adjusted so as to slightly reverse and stop the motor (124)in response to a shell (158), such as a hull or case, being crushedduring the reloading procedure.

Coupled to the housing (120) is a faceplate (162) and back plate (164),preferably constructed of steel and secured to the housing (120) bybolts or weldments. Provided on the face plate (162) is an on/off switch(166) which is coupled to the motor (124). Also provided on thefaceplate (162) is a fuse (168), which is coupled to the motor (124) foreasy replacement if amperage to the motor (124) exceeds a predeterminedamount. Provided on either side of the housing (120) are actuationswitches (170) and (172). The actuation switches (170) and (172) arespaced sufficiently far apart to prevent actuation of both with onehand. The switches (170) and (172) are preferably coupled to the circuitboard (156), which is coded to actuate the motor (124) only uponsimultaneous actuation of the actuation switches (168) and (170) toavoid a user moving a hand into the automatic indexing reloader (10)during the reloading process.

The reloader (12) is coupled to the housing (120) by a plurality ofbolts (174). Although the reloader (12) may be secured to the housing(120) by any suitable means, in the preferred embodiment the reloader(12) is releasably coupled to the housing (120), making it possible toutilize the motor housing assembly (118) in association with additionalreloaders.

When it is desired to utilize the automatic indexing reloader (10) ofthe present invention, a user inserts a shell (158) into the shellcarrier (18) actuates the on/off switch (166) and actuates the switches(170) and (172) causing the motor (124) to rotate the actuation wheel(130). This, in turn, causes the pull rod (142) to move the reloader(12) through a reloading cycle, and index the shell (158) to the nextstation. Once the operation has been performed and the shell (158)indexed to the next station, the carriage bolt (136) actuates the limitswitch (140) to shut off the motor (124). An additional shell (158) maybe positioned on the shell carrier (18) and the actuation switches (170)and (172) again actuated to move the reloader (12) through anotherreloading stroke and index the shell (158) to the next station. Thisprocess continues until one of the consumables used in the reloadingprocess is gone, a malfunction occurs, or the desired number of shells(158) have been loaded.

In the event a shell (158) is reloaded incorrectly, is misshapen or, forany other reason, begins to be crushed by the reloader (12) during thereloading process, the increased pressure against the turret assembly(20) causes the current sensor (154) to trigger the circuit board (156)to slightly reverse actuation of the motor (124). The crushed shell(158) may thereafter be discarded, fixed or thrown away, depending onthe severity of the crushing and the consistency required in thereloading process.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as176 in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, a reloader 178 is provided whichoperates in response to a shaft 180 being rotated by a handle 182. Thereloader 178 is of a type known in the art to require a first manualoperation after the shaft 180 is rotated in a first direction and asecond manual operation after the shaft 180 is rotated in a second,opposite direction. In the preferred embodiment, the reloader 178 is aPlatinum 2000 reloader manufactured by Ponsness/Warren of Rathdrum, Id.In this embodiment, the handle 182 is removed, and a flexible shaftcoupling, such as a “Lovejoy”coupling is coupled between the shaft 180of the reloader 178 and a shaft 186 coupled to a motor 188 such as thatdescribed above. In this alternative embodiment, the motor 188 iscoupled to a standard alternating current outlet 190 and bolted to abase plate 192 by a pair of shoulder straps 194. The motor 188 is alsocoupled to a computer chip 196, such as those well known in the art. Thechip 196 is programmed to act as a central processing unit and iscoupled to a button switch 198. When the switch 198 is actuated, thechip 196 actuates the motor 188 to turn the shaft 180 a predeterminedamount sufficient to place the reloader 178 in a position for a firstmanual operation, after which the chip 196 causes the motor to stop.When the switch 198 is again depressed, the chip 196 actuates the motor188 to turn the shaft 180 in the opposite direction a predeterminedamount sufficient to place the reloader 178 in a position for a secondmanual operation, after which the chip 196 causes the motor to stop.When the switch 198 is actuated again, the chip 196 actuates the motor188 to turn the shaft 180 back in the opposite direction a predeterminedamount sufficient to place the reloader 178 in the position for thefirst manual operation, after which the chip 196 causes the motor tostop. Every time the switch 198 is reversed, the chip 196 actuates themotor 188 to turn the shaft 180 in the direction opposite the lastdirection.

When it is desired to use the alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the user (not shown) actuates the switch 198 to turn theshaft 180 a predetermined amount sufficient to place the reloader 178 ina position for a first manual operation, after which the chip 196 causesthe motor to stop. The user then inserts a wad 200 into a powder-filledhull 202. The user then depresses the switch 198 again to turn the shaft180 in the opposite direction a predetermined amount sufficient to placethe reloader 178 in a position for a second manual operation, afterwhich the chip 196 causes the motor to stop. The user then inserts anempty hull 204 into the reloader 178. The user then repeats theseoperations until the desired number of operations have been performed.

The foregoing description of the drawings merely explain and illustratethe invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofaras the claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variationstherein without departing from the scope of the invention. By way ofexample, although all assemblies described herein are preferablyconstructed within a ninety percent variance, and more preferably withina twenty-five percent variance, from the dimensions listed above, theautomatic indexing reloader (10) may be constructed of any desiredmaterial, or of any suitable dimensions.

1. An improved system for loading shells comprising: (a) a shell loadingtool; (b) a shell; (c) means for moving a shell loading tool and a shellinto and out of contact with one another; (d) means for detecting apredetermined overload condition as said shell loading tool and saidshell move into and out of contact with one another; and (e) means forattenuating said moving means in response to said detecting meansdetecting said predetermined overload condition.
 2. The improved systemfor loading shells of claim 1, wherein said attenuating means is meansfor stopping said moving means in response to said detecting meansdetecting said predetermined overload condition.
 3. The improved systemfor loading shells of claim 2, wherein said moving means is an electricmotor.
 4. The improved system for loading shells of claim 3, whereinsaid detecting means is a current sensor.
 5. The improved system forloading shells of claim 1, wherein said moving means is an electricmotor.
 6. The improved system for loading shells of claim 1, whereinsaid detecting means is a current sensor.
 7. The improved system forloading shells of claim 1, wherein said moving means comprises: (a) arotary motion converter; and (b) means coupled to said rotary motionconverter for rotating said rotary motion converter through at leastthree hundred degrees of rotation.
 8. The improved system for loadingshells of claim 7, wherein said rotating means is an electric rotarymotor.
 9. The improved system for loading shells of claim 8, whereinsaid detecting means is a current sensor.
 10. The improved system forloading shells of claim 9, wherein said attenuating means is means forstopping said moving means in response to said detecting means detectingsaid predetermined overload condition.
 11. An automatic indexer for ashell loader comprising: (a) a reciprocator; (b) means for coupling saidreciprocator to a shell loader; (c) means coupled to said reciprocatorfor detecting a predetermined overload condition; and (d) means forattenuating said reciprocator in response to said detecting meansdetecting said predetermined overload condition.
 12. The automaticindexer for a shell loader of claim 11, wherein said attenuating meansis means for stopping said reciprocator.
 13. The automatic indexer for ashell loader of claim 11, wherein said reciprocator comprises anelectric motor.
 14. The automatic indexer for a shell loader of claim13, wherein said detecting means is a current sensor.
 15. The automaticindexer for a shell loader of claim 11, wherein said detecting means isa current sensor.
 16. The automatic indexer for a shell loader of claim11, wherein said reciprocator comprises a rotary motion converter, andmeans coupled to said rotary motion converter for rotating said rotarymotion converter through at least three hundred degrees of rotation. 17.An automatic indexer for a shell loader comprising: (a) a shell loadingtool; (b) means for reciprocating said shell loading tool; (c) means fordetecting a predetermined resistance condition during reciprocation ofsaid shell loading tool; and (d) means for attenuating saidreciprocating means in response to detecting means detecting saidpredetermined resistance condition.
 18. The automatic indexer for ashell loader of claim 17, wherein said attenuating means is means forstopping said reciprocating means in response to said detecting meansdetecting said predetermined resistance condition.
 19. The automaticindexer for a shell loader of claim 18, wherein said reciprocating meansis an electric motor.
 20. The automatic indexer for a shell loader ofclaim 19, wherein said attenuating means is a current sensor.